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Target Stubborn Fat with Expert Liposuction by Dr. Steven R. Cohen

Excess fat is a common issue for many men and women. And, if we’ve tried regular exercise and a healthy diet to no avail, it can be an effective surgical solution for fat that just won’t disappear on its own. Areas commonly treated with liposuction include the abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, and buttocks. Fat deposits on the arms, knees, calves, upper torso, neck, and under the chin can be removed as well.

With many years of liposuction experience, internationally recognized plastic surgeon and medical innovator Dr. Steven R. Cohen provides patients in the San Diego area with premium surgical and non-surgical services. Contact Faces+ to book an individual consultation and find out how an expertly performed liposuction can help you! Call (858) 453-7224 to book, or complete our simple inquiry form for further information. 

Contents

About Liposuction Benefits of Liposuction Candidates for Liposuction Personal Consultation Preparation Liposuction Procedure Recovery & Results Cost of Liposuction in San Diego FAQ References
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About Liposuction

Liposuction is the most common cosmetic procedure in patients aged 35 to 64. It’s also the second most commonly performed cosmetic surgery in the United States. Formally known as suction-assisted lipectomy, suction-based fat removal techniques have existed since the early twentieth century. Nowadays, liposuction is a highly refined surgical procedure that achieves remarkable results for patients.

Permanent Fat Removal

Both deep and superficial fat deposits can affect our body contour. Hard to shift accumulations of adipose tissue (the medical term for fat) can cause our abdomen bulge, our flanks to “muffin top”, and our chin to lose its definition; to name just a few common aesthetic complaints. Liposuction is a versatile technique that can pinpoint areas of concern safely and accurately. The most common areas for fat removal are in the trunk, including:

  • Abdomen
  • Flanks
  • Hips
  • Back
  • Buttocks

Surgeons can also treat excess fat in the upper extremities, lower extremities, and the neck. With a liposuction procedure, our patients can target specific areas of fat for removal. The great thing about liposuction is that once the fat cells are removed, they’re gone for good! 

By working with Dr. Cohen and his team, you can achieve the body contours you’ve always wanted!

What Is Vaser High Definition Liposculpting?

Dr. Cohen is proud to offer VASER High Def as well as standard liposuction procedures. Also known as ultrasound-assisted liposuction, it’s one of the most innovative and effective ways to achieve a more contoured physique. 

VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. Ultrasound is sound at very high frequencies; far higher than the human ear can perceive. These ultra-high frequency sound waves help to dislodge and break down adipose tissue while preserving the surrounding connective tissue. The VASER method removes fat and tightens skin simultaneously.

It does so through a three-pronged mechanism of action: 

  • Cavitation (the formation of vapor bubbles)
  • Thermal effect
  • Direct mechanical effect

Using advanced ultrasound technology, VASER lipo is a smoother, more refined method of fat removal. You can discuss which option is best for your needs at your individual consultation with Dr. Cohen.

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Benefits of Liposuction

Liposuction is an effective way to remove unwanted fat. Our patients choose liposuction for a number of reasons:

  • It’s a minimally invasive procedure.
  • Scarring from the cannula incisions is minimal.
  • It produces long-lasting results.
  • The procedure permanently removes fat cells.
  • It can improve self-image and boost confidence.
  • Liposuction allows for greater clothing options.
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Candidates for Liposuction

Many men and women choose liposuction to achieve their aesthetic aspirations every year. If you have struggled to rid yourself of stubborn fat through diet and exercise, Dr. Cohen may suggest a liposuction procedure to help you toward your body contouring goals. Good candidates for liposuction are at, or close to, their ideal weight at the time of their surgery, and in good overall health. 

Liposuction and VASER High Definition liposculpture are not for everyone. 

Contraindications include:

  • Poor Skin Quality
  • Uncontrolled Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Pulmonary Disease
  • Coagulation (Blood Clotting) Disorders
  • Pregnancy

Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. As such, patients are cautioned that it is not intended as a substitute for weight-loss surgery.

Personal Consultation

Visit one of the most renowned plastic surgeons in Southern California! Your personal consultation with Dr. Cohen is an opportunity for you to outline the problems you have experienced with hard-to-shift excess fat deposits. At your one-on-one appointment, Dr. Cohen will discuss your current body contour and examine the areas you would like to treat. He will assess the amount of fat that needs to be removed and the best way to do so. We will also document the examination from various angles for post-liposuction analysis. If Dr. Cohen deems you a good candidate, we will schedule a date for your procedure.

Get in touch with Faces+ today to book your individual consultation with Dr. Cohen!

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Preparation

Please follow Dr. Cohen’s preoperative instructions carefully in the days and weeks before your liposuction procedure. We will provide you with full written details about what you need to do. These may include:

  • Avoiding blood-thinning medications
  • Ceasing the use of NSAIDs (such as aspirin)
  • Ceasing the use of certain dietary supplements
  • Getting a medical evaluation/lab testing
  • Stopping smoking 

Liposuction Procedure

When it comes to your liposuction procedure, you have choices! Before your procedure, we’ll make sure you’re well prepared. Liposuction can be performed while a patient is under general anesthesia or with the use of lidocaine, a local numbing agent. After your chosen anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Cohen will make a small incision into the target area. He will introduce tumescent fluid, a liquid that makes it easier to remove the fat deposits. Next, he will insert a thin suction tube called a cannula and begin suctioning the excess fat. Dr. Cohen takes great care to follow the natural contours of his patients’ bodies to achieve the best, most natural-looking results. Once all of the targeted fat has been removed, Dr. Cohen will suture the area. He will then provide a compression garment to secure the area.

The length of a liposuction procedure depends on your individualized treatment plan outlined by Dr. Cohen. Most liposuction procedures take between one and two hours to complete. 

Recovery & Results

It’s common to experience swelling and bruising for about 2 weeks after most liposuction procedures. Depending on the area of treatment, patients may choose to take a few days or weeks off work to heal. Please follow your post-procedure instructions from Dr. Cohen closely to maximize the success of your surgery. In particular, it is important to continue smoking cessation and avoidance of blood thinning medications until otherwise directed. Around a week after your liposuction procedure, you may start to see the real difference your surgery has made. After 1-3 months, you’ll see your final results!

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Cost of Liposuction in San Diego

Faces+ will calculate the cost of your liposuction procedure based on your individual needs. Some patients choose to undergo treatment for multiple areas at the same time, so please feel free to discuss your options with Dr. Cohen at your consultation. To book your initial appointment with us, please fill out this form or call our San Diego office at (858) 453-7224

Dr. Cohen invites his patients to read his plastic surgery blog to stay up-to-date with the latest services available at Faces+. You can also see him in action on the Faces+ YouTube channel and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok!

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Frequently Asked Questions Liposuction

What kind of anesthesia is used in a liposuction procedure?

Many surgeons offer a choice when it comes to liposuction anesthesia. Although liposuction is commonly performed using general anesthesia, local anesthesia options may be available. To find out more, speak to your surgeon about their recommended anesthesia choice for the type of liposuction you wish to undergo.

When can I exercise again following a liposuction procedure?

Patients are recommended to allow at least 2-3 weeks of recovery before resuming exercise regimens. This gives the body adequate time to heal and reduces the chance of disturbing the healing incisions.

How long do the results of a liposuction treatment last?

Liposuction removes fat cells permanently. With a healthy diet and exercise, patients can maintain excellent results for many years after their procedure.

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References

  1. Bellini, E., Grieco, M. P., & Raposio, E. (2017a). A journey through liposuction and liposculpture: Review. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 24, 53–60. https://journals.lww.com/annals-of-medicine-and-surgery/fulltext/2017/12000/a_journey_through_liposuction_and_liposculture_.12.aspx
  2. Wu, S., Coombs, D. M., & Gurunian, R. (2020). Liposuction: Concepts, safety, and techniques in body-contouring surgery. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 87(6), 367–375. https://www.ccjm.org/content/87/6/367
  3. Jewell, M. (2002). Clinical application of VASER-assisted lipoplasty: A pilot clinical study. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 22(2), 131–146. https://academic.oup.com/asj/article-abstract/22/2/131/220088?redirectedFrom=fulltext

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